Paul Tonko: “This body must advance urgently needed coronavirus assistance. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said…”

“This body must advance urgently needed coronavirus assistance. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said, ``Every death we experience is a tragedy.'' When he said it, the United States had just hit the grim milestone of 100,000 souls lost from the COVID pandemic. That was mid-May, around the same time Democrats advanced the HEROES Act in the House. In the 4 months that followed, 100,000 more Americans have died as the epidemic has spiraled out of control, and chaos has continued to reign from the White House. We have reached the breaking point. Plain and simple, it is time for the Senate to pass our comprehensive rescue package or offer a real alternative of their own. No more waiting. No more excuses. Throughout this crisis, the Senate majority has abdicated responsibility to this President's insufficient leadership and papered over his deadly shortcomings. For the lives and livelihood of every one of my constituents, I beg my colleagues on the other side of the Capitol to seize this moment to follow a new guide. Let that guide be science. Let it be truth, because politics, really, truly bad politics, has brought America low in the face of this crisis. But it is not too late. On January 22, President Trump tweeted ``China has been working very hard to contain the coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency.'' He made similar remarks again on January 30 and on February 7.…”